Clinical and Basic Biomedical Research (GH)

Unit Code

00041

Department/Institution Offering Unit

Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health
PO Box 281
Geelong
Victoria 3220 Australia

tel: +61 3 5226 7383
fax: +61 3 5222 2420

Unit Points

Research Points: 87.5

Coursework Points: 12.5

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Contacts

Unit Coordinator/s:

Dr Kerrie Sanders
Senior Research Fellow
The University of Melbourne
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences: Barwon Health
The Geelong Hospital
Victoria Australia

tel: +61 3 5226 7834
email: kerrie@barwonhealth.org.au

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Overall Objectives

A clinical or basic biomedical research project will be undertaken under the supervision of a research group leader. The objectives are:

• To provide basic training in the processes of clinical or basic biomedical research
• To encourage critical evaluation of current biomedical literature and to recognition of important research issues
• To learn how to keep records and present research material orally and as a written report
• To evaluate research findings in the broader context of human physiology
• To motivate and encourage students in the pursuit of knowledge in order to provide a better understanding of human diseases, their prevention and clinical management

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Content

Coursework: Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics OR Qualitative Health Research as appropriate to the project selected.

Research: Clinical Research Projects are offered in a wide variety of fields consistent with the department's innovative multi disciplinary approach as described below.

The department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences is a multidisciplinary department located at Geelong Hospital. Our areas of specialty include:

1. Surgery
This unit has a particular interest in electronic audit of surgical outcomes particularly in the area of bowel cancer and trauma. The Professor of Surgery has vast experience in the surgical management of trauma in underdeveloped countries such as Papua New Guinea.

2. Barwon Biomedical Research
(a) Bone Cell Physiology
Areas of interest include regulation of human osteoclast formation and function (precursor cells are derived from the umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem cells). As well as the development of osteoblasts from mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cords or adipose tissue and the factors affecting their differentiation.
(b) Stem Cell Physiology
Areas of interest include cells derived from umbilical cord blood and utilized in studies relating to the expansion and differentiation of these stem cells using various bioactives and homeoproteins. This is complemented by the investigation of a number of three-dimensional cell growth matrices and different oxygen tension culture conditions.

3. Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials
This unit designs and conducts double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trials on a variety of disorders. The largest trial currently being conducted is the ‘Vital D’ study. This has 2,300 older women who have been randomly selected to have an annual dose of either high dose vitamin D OR placebo. The study was originally planned to investigate the relationship between vitamin D status and risk of falls and fractures but has expanded its outcome to include healthcare utilisation.

4. Epidemiology and Biostatistics
The Geelong Osteoporosis Study is a large population-based longitudinal study that commenced in 1992. The study has routinely assessed a random sample of the population (both men and women) and has the potential to investigate many other disorders in addition to osteoporosis.

5. Psychiatry
The department has a team of active researchers interested in researching most aspects of mental health including the use of diet, antioxidants and supplements to maximise mental health in groups of ‘at risk’ individuals.

Many other projects are available. Contact the Unit Coordinator for further information on topics of mutual interest to the student and the department's research teams.

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Assessment Breakdown

Research Component: 87.5 points
Research Report (up to 9,000 words): 75%
Assignment on research-related lecture topics: 10%
Supervisor Evaluation: 15%

Coursework Component: 12.5 points
Intermediate Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Qualitative Health Research will be assessed as per subject description.

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Student Numbers

Number of places available: 20 across all areas